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Planning staff proposes clearer site-plan applicability; board seeks briefing on Saint-Gobain consent decree
Summary
Planning staff asked the Merrimack Planning Board whether to add an applicability section to the town’s site-plan regulations and discussed clarifying the waiver-of-full-site-plan review process; board members asked for a briefing on the Saint-Gobain consent decree and heard that a planning staff member will depart in April.
MERRIMACK, N.H. — At the March 18 meeting, Merrimack planning staff proposed adding an applicability section to the town’s site-plan regulations to clarify when full site plans, amended site plans and waiver-of-full-site-plan reviews apply. The board discussed possible changes to the process and requested more information about the Saint-Gobain consent decree and its implications for stormwater and infiltration.
Colleen, a planning staff member, said staff “wants to create an applicability section in our site plan regulations to clarify the types of applications that are submitted to the board and to staff.” The proposed change would more clearly define what constitutes a full site plan versus an amended site plan and when the waiver-of-full-site-plan process applies.
Why it matters: Board members said more precise rules would reduce confusion when applicants seek administrative approvals for changes of use or small exterior alterations. The board also flagged a procedural concern: the recent practice of deciding completeness and a waiver-of-full-site-plan request at the same time. Several members described that combined vote as “clumsy” and said they preferred separate decisions on completeness and waiver requests.
Saint-Gobain consent decree and DES guidance Board members asked for an informational briefing on the Saint-Gobain consent decree and how it affects local stormwater and infiltration practices. The transcript shows multiple references to the CONSENT decree as the reason some applicants avoid infiltration-based stormwater practices because of PFAS contamination concerns; the board requested that either engineering staff or the department of public works provide more background at a future meeting.
Staffing and appointments Colleen told the board she will depart Merrimack on April 4 to take a position in Bedford as a land use and development planner; she described the move as a career step. The board thanked her and congratulated her on the appointment.
Board members also said an interviewed candidate, Neil Acatell, is expected to come before the town council for reappointment to the planning board; members signaled support for bringing him back to the board if the council appoints him.
Next steps Staff will prepare draft language for an applicability section and consider a workshop to discuss changes to the waiver-of-full-site-plan process. The board also asked staff to arrange a briefing on the Saint-Gobain consent decree and its local regulatory implications, and to circulate suggested regulation items board members want covered in a future workshop.
